Hi Everyone! I as well have inherited a grandfather clock from Colonial Manufacturing Co, Zeeland Michigan, Model II25. It has a German movement from M.Bauerle with a marking 805 on it and what I assume to be a serial number 156604. I believe the movement was from the company started by Mathias Baurle. The coil gong is a Kaiser-Gong D.R.P.a which from my research was made by Junghans with a "patent applied for" designation. The patent was finally granted in 1910. I have reason to believe that the cabinet case was made between 1900 to 1910. I was hoping to find out a couple of things: 1. More information on the clock to really figure out when it was manufactured. 2. More information on how to restore the clock face. A friend let me borrow silver powder that he made some how. I want to find more powder to finish restoring my chapter ring, but all I can find on the internet is stuff from the U.K. 3. I also wish to find out what process was used and how to repair the gold portion of my clock dial face. It looks like gold plated on top of brass because I rubbed off some of it when I was attempting to polish it with brass cleaner. The plate is all monolithic, in one piece. It appears to have been stamped with impressions or etched some how for the engraving work. The back side of the dial is fully flat single one monolithic piece. The chapter ring is not a separate piece of material. I am so happy to have received my great grandfathers clock. I am even happier that my adult daughter wants it too, that means one day she will have her great great grandfathers clock! Appreciate any help on information anybody may have on it and how to restore the dial face.
Welcome to the message board. You seem to have done your home work on the clock an probably know at least as much as or more than any of us. Others will be along to provide additional information and advise on restoration.
Greg, Welcome to the board. Please provide pictures of the movement, especially the back of the movement. By doing so, we may be able to provide more information as to when your clock was manufactured. Regards.
Greg, I believe your estimate of manufacture (1900 to 1910) is correct. I am not aware of any reliable database for Baeuerle serial numbers, so a "circa" date will be necessary and circa 1905 is reasonable. Regards.
I am working on a movement that looks identical, but a few years later. My movement has the Peerless trademark which I have been told puts it around 1920. Bill
I have finished my dial face restoration guys. Ended up having Dial House do the face for me. At this point, all I need is a minute hand bushing (the hand fits sloppy on the spindle from the movement). Any leads on procurement on that would be appreciated. Other than that, just wish I new exact date of manufacture. I guess I never will. Wife does not particular like listening to it chime all the time, maybe that is why I like it so much! Again, appreciate the answers you guys provided. Very nice of you to take the time to share. Thanks
Hello, Your dating for the clock is incorrect. Colonial was not incorporated until 1906. 1914/1915 catalog and model numbers in production are right around it. Your clock was probably introduced in 1912 and did not sell well or Colonial decided to introduce a slight modification in 1914/1915 catalog. Unless the clock case style was a hot seller it was in production less than 3 years. Andy Dervan